the deed is done

(typed on a REAL computer and not my iPhone--so much easier!!)

The final day has arrived and we were anxious to get on the road. A cold front moved through the area last night so we woke up to cool temps and mild breezes. Breakfast was provided by BAK this morning--they brought in Chris Cakes to make fresh pancakes, sausage and scrambled eggs (lots of energy for our final journey). We packed up our bags one final time and loaded them on the truck for the final destination of LaCygne, then got on our bikes and headed east. People ask how our bottoms can take the long journey on a small bike seat. All I have to say is it gets easier every day we ride and one secret: Butt Butter (a biker's life saver)!

The scenery today was beautiful--rolling hills (a great challenge for bikers, but fun if you know how to use gravity and momentum to your advantage), lush trees and flowing creeks & rivers. This was the perfect weather day--the temperatures never got over 75 and the breeze was manageable, although it was out of the northeast--a direction we were going. We arrived in LaCygne mid-morning and rode another 8 miles further to reach the Missouri border. This part of the state doesn't have a river to divide its border, so it was anticlimactic when all we did to prove our feat was take our picture by a small green sign that read "Missouri State Line." Oh well, WE knew we made the 480 mile journey that strengthened our will, stamina, lungs and legs. A journey that gave us knew friends in Dave and Scott, a closer relationship with the Theimers, and a realization that we are not alone on any journey.

After reaching the border, all we could do was turn around and ride the 6 miles to Lake LaCygne park for our celebration picnic. Starla, the Theimer's daughter, was waiting for us with our vehicle to take us back to Topeka. We said our goodbyes to those we met on the trip and loaded up the bags, tents and bikes and headed for home, only stopping once at Louisburg for some apple cider donuts (because we could still eat anything we today!)

So was this trip worth it all? Absolutely!! Not many people can say they rode across Kansas on a bicycle. Spending time with good friends and meeting new ones was priceless. Enjoying a whole week with Chris and no other distractions was invaluable to our relationship. Raising money for CCCS and sharing why the message of Christ's love is so important, made this trip more than just about us. We are so blessed to have so many of our friends, family, and brothers & sisters in Christ around the world praying for us.

Would we do this again? Maybe not Kansas right away, but we are seriously thinking of trying another state next year. We have time to explore the possibilities and just enjoy our shorter jaunts around the area on our trusty Treks! Until the next travel bug hits...